Absinthe Frappé: Classic New Orleans Cocktail
This article contains affiliate links. We may receive compensation if you make a purchase using one of these links at no additional cost to you. See our Disclaimers and Terms of Use for more information.
The Absinthe Frappé, a classic New Orleans cocktail, is timeless. However, the boozy, green, anise-flavored beverage requires a special palate. Follow this easy Absinthe Frappé recipe and see if you’re up to the taste challenge.
We weren’t the first to sip an Absinthe Frappé in New Orleans.
Legend has it that Robert E. Lee, Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde all imbibed the refreshing, potent potable in the 19th century. While Prohibition and a ban on absinthe stopped the flow for almost a century, this classic cocktail is back, and it’s as refreshing and potent as ever.
Discover the most iconic New Orleans cocktails as well as the city’s most iconic bars. Then explore the best Mardi Gras cocktails.
What Is the Absinthe Frappé?
Don’t underestimate the Absinthe Frappé.
Simple to craft and with roots in New Orleans, the pre-Prohibition cocktail looks fun with its green color and preponderance of crushed ice. However, the Absinthe Frappé packs a wallop thanks to its main ingredient, i.e., absinthe.
We’re not exaggerating when we say that the Absinthe Frappé is potent. Absinthe, the drink’s primary ingredient, has an ABV that can be as high as 70%. As for its neon green color, seeing is believing.
The Absinthe Frappé’s potency isn’t a bad thing, but we suggest moderation. After all, this classic cocktail was iconic enough in its heyday to inspire a song called Absinthe Frappé in the Broadway show It Happened in Nordland.
The lyrics in that 1904 song promise to make life worthwhile again after just one sip. While we can’t promise the same with our classic Absinthe Frappé recipe, we certainly hope that the drink takes you on a boozy ride.
History of the Absinthe Frappé
Drinking an Absinthe Frappé at the Old Absinthe House on Bourbon Street is like taking a trip back in time.
Cayetano Ferrer invented the green tipple in 1874 at this very space. Originally called Aleix’s Coffee House, the bar eventually changed its name to Old Absinthe House based on the popularity of the refreshing cocktail’s main ingredient. Talk about the tail wagging the dog!
The Absinthe Frappé fell out of favor from 1912 to 2007. During these years, absinthe was banned in the United States due to fear that wormwood extract, formerly a key component of absinthe, caused madness.
Fun Fact
Although fears of absinthe causing madness have abated, the green elixir’s modern iteration has a reduced level of thujone, the active chemical in wormwood.
Banned for almost a century, absinthe isn’t as popular as vodka or rum. Those who like anise-flavofred liqueurs such as pastis and Herbsaint will enjoy drinking Absinthe Frappés, which are blended with absinthe, simple syrup, soda water, mint leaves and crushed ice.
Ingredients
Emulating the Absinthe House’s original recipe, this Absinthe Frappé recipe requires the following ingredients:
Ingredient quantities are detailed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Craft an Absinthe Frappé Cocktail
The first step in this recipe is to measure the absinthe and simple syrup. We use a Japanese jigger to measure both liquids to ensure accurate measurements and avoid spillage.
Buy a Japanese jigger from Amazon if you need a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
Pour the two liquids into a shaker immediately after you measure each. We use a Boston shaker to craft this and other drinks. While we have other shakers, this one never leaks and is easiest to clean.
The next step is to add ice and vigorously shake the absinthe and simple syrup.
After 10 to 20 seconds of vigorous shaking, strain the chilled ingredients into a lowball glass that you’ve prefilled halfway with crushed ice.
Splash in some sparkling water.
Top with additional crushed ice and add a handful of mint leaves as garnish.
Variations
Not everybody loves the anise flavor of absinthe. Those who do will want to experiment beyond the Absinthe Frappé. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Discover 10 essential bar tools for the home mixologist.
Absinthe Frappé Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces absinthe
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces sparkling water
- crushed ice
- ice cubes
- 6 mint leaves (garnish)
Instructions
- Combine absinthe and simple syrup in a shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 10 seconds with ice until the ingredients are chilled and blended.
- Strain into a lowball or rocks glass half-filled with crushed ice.
- Add a splash of sparkling water.
- Top off with more crushed ice.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Notes
- You can use club soda or seltzer instead of sparkling water.
- You can replace the absinthe with Pastis or Herbsaint.
- You can use a larger glass if you want an icier beverage.
Nutrition
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
The Absinthe Frappe is a potent pre-Prohibition potable crafted with absinthe and simple syrup.
The Absinthe Frappe was invented in New Orleans.
The Old Absinthe House is the bar most associated with the Absinthe Frappe cocktail. This bar is located on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.
Absinthe, Simple Syrup, Sparkling Water, Crushed Ice, Ice Cubes (for shaking) and Mint Leaves (garnish)
The Absinthe Frappe is shaken, not stirred.
We like to serve this cocktail in a lowball glass and you should do the same.
📍 Pin This Recipe
